Summary
- Monster Hunter Wilds achieves a balance by integrating Scoutflies and the Seikret mount in monster tracking.
- The Seikret mount offers convenience by automatically leading players to targets, similar to Monster Hunter: World's Raider Rides.
- Players can seamlessly track monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds, where encounters automatically pinpoint monsters on the map.
Capcom's Monster Hunter series has always shamelessly leaned fully into its name, giving players a straightforward experience of hunting down dangerous monsters. It wasn't until the release of Monster Hunter: World that the process of tracking those monsters via Scoutflies was introduced, likely in an effort to make hunts feel more immersive and rewarding. However, as immersive as the process was, it became tedious and monotonous after a while, putting some increasingly unnecessary steps between players and the hunt. Monster Hunter Rise then simplified this process by removing Scoutflies entirely, only for Monster Hunter Wilds to follow by not only bringing back Scoutflies but finding a way to bridge the gap between Monster Hunter: World's tedium and Monster Hunter Rise's simplicity.
Whereas Monster Hunter Rise removed players from the process of tracking monsters, Monster Hunter Wilds has managed to find a happy medium between the last two mainline installments in the series. Rather than oversimplifying things for players by taking the tracking process out of the game entirely, Monster Hunter Wilds not only reintroduces Scoutflies as navigational tools but also integrates monster tracking into its new Seikret mount. With this approach, the Seikret not only has a unique identity in Monster Hunter Wilds, but players can still feel like they're tracking a monster without needing to do all the busy work Monster Hunter: World required them to do.
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Monster Hunter Wilds' Streamlines the Process of Monster Tracking
Monster Hunter Wilds' Seikret Mount Allows Players to Travel Automatically to a Destination
The key to monster tracking in Monster Hunter Wilds is the new Seikret mount, which is not only useful for traversal in the game but has a variety of other functions as well. However, initially, players will need to use their Seikret to track down monsters rather than performing the preliminary work of Monster Hunter: World, like examining tracks, looking for environmental cues, or finding tufts of fur on the ground. Fortunately, this process is almost always seamlessly integrated into Monster Hunter Wilds' story, so players don't have to do much manual work on the road to their target.
Whereas Monster Hunter Rise removed players from the process of tracking monsters, Monster Hunter Wilds has managed to find a happy medium between the last two mainline installments in the series.
The Seikret mount's standout quality, in a roundabout way, is its ability to automatically take players to their target. This mechanic is very similar to Monster Hunter: World's Raiders Rides introduced in the Iceborne expansion, with the exception of Monster Hunter Wilds' Seikret being able to free roam at any time. While the Seikret is set to Auto Move, players can prep for a hunt by using consumables or sharpening their weapon without ever stopping or slowing down if they choose to, but this helpful feature doubles as Monster Hunter Wilds' monster tracking system as well.
Monsters Are Automatically Pinpointed on the Map After Initial Encounters
Once players have used their Seikret to track a monster in Monster Hunter Wilds' narrative, that monster will then be automatically pinpointed on the map. This is ultimately how Monster Hunter Wilds bridges the gap between Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Rise, as the latter's tracking system would automatically indicate a monster's location on its map and the former required players to track monsters manually. In other words, players are always encouraged to set their Seikret to Auto Move during the game's story, but during any free-roam expeditions, they might prefer to handle their Seikret manually.
With Monster Hunter Wilds, the series' monster tracking has been refined into a system that feels both natural and efficient, cutting out the unnecessary busywork of Monster Hunter: World while still giving players the satisfaction of actively tracking their prey. By combining the immersion of Monster Hunter: World with the accessibility of Monster Hunter Rise, the game ensures that players stay engaged with the hunt without feeling bogged down by tedious mechanics.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
